The Book Country

New landmark buildings outside London have been a bit thin on the ground in recent years, so to hear about the new 10 storey Library of Birmingham opening its doors yesterday is all good news for the construction industry. It may have been publically funded at a cost of £188.8m, but this building could be the start of several new landmark developments popping up around Birmingham. 

In Leeds we've seen the opening of Trinity Shopping Centre and Leeds Arena this summer, so let hope this is all a good sign that the construction industry is well clear of recession.

Birmingham’s colourful new BREEAM excellent library, designed by Mecanoo with Buro Happold, is 20% larger than its predecessor and will display 400,000 of the institution’s 1 million text collection to the public. The outside of the building has gained a lot of attention over the past few months as construction has drawn to an end. With its intricate interlocking metal circles, reminiscent of a Spirograph pattern and references the ‘interlocking stories of industrial heritage, jewellery, people and knowledge’ in the local area. 

A design similar to one we have used recently in a linear format, which can also graphically reference a DNA strand. Very fitting for a large scale library full of knowledge and research about all known living organisms and the origins of life.

www.sovibrant.co.uk 

Architecture - Construction - Interior Design 

Images courtesy of Google Images

Building a 3D printer with a 3D printer!

Hi everyone,

Today, I wanted to post something that I found on-line which has got me thinking about what the future has to offer.

The link below is basically about an architect who has created a 3D printer using a 3D printer. Now this is all very straight forward, you print out the components and then construct the new printer from those parts. Please see the link below for the article which is a great concept and really shows the power and versatility of modern 3D printers. 

Click here to read the 3D printer article on theinquiere.net

CAD model of the parts to be printed

Gordon Laplante with his prototype 3D Printer

Printed components ready to be assembled

Printing a lego block to demonstrate the printers capability

This story also gives us a small snapshot as to how the future of manufacture and industry could be shaped. As the 3D printing technology progresses and improves, there is no limit to what could be created and replicated using printing technology.

This almost leads on to the question of self-replication. If a printer in the modern day can, in essence, replicate itself (with our input), maybe there will be robots some day that will do the same, but on their own. Most people have seen at least one apocalyptic film involving robots such as I-Robot of The Terminator.. That world might not be as far away as we may think!  Da... Da... Daaaaaaaaa!

All of the images above are copyright and courtesy of www.theinquirer.net.

Happy reading

Media productions
www.sovibrant.co.uk

Trinity is HERE!

It’s finally here!

Today in Leeds we see Europe’s biggest city centre shopping mall, Trinity Leeds (Developed by Land Securities), open it’s doors to the public and I for one am very very excited!

The £350m centre will house 120 retail outlets and restaurants covering 1,000,000 sq ft (92,900 sq m) and will offer a unique shopping experience like no other in the region and like no other I have seen in the UK. The video walls you see on your visit to Trinity offer tailored messages via gesture-recognition and touch-sensitivity, a first in a UK shopping centre I believe. This is exactly the type of experiential innovation that is required by retail destinations and, in my opinion, creates a successful brand experience.

Not only will Trinity offer a fantastic shopping experience all under one roof, Land Securities told me there will be little bits of “something special” to look out for around the centre, contributing further to the unique shopping experience – and we haven’t even talked “shop” yet!  Trinity goes the extra mile, housing shops and restaurants which we haven’t been lucky enough to see in the north. On your visit you will find Victoria Secret, Hollister, Apple - one we have certainly wanted in the Leeds area - the UK’s largest Superdry store!

But, although it’s exciting from a shopper’s perspective, the other thing today’s opening has done is put the spotlight firmly on the north - and Leeds in particular.  For once, it’s positive!

We have lived through so much gloom of late – and not just with the weather, but the opening of Trinity Leeds is an opportunity to experience something “SO vibrant”, exciting and inspiring again – and wouldn’t it be great if, as well as putting Leeds on the shopping map, it was the catalyst for some positive energy and belief across the region?

It’s true that Land Securities may have taken a risk to be the only ones opening a new retail centre this year – but, rather than being conservative, they’ve thought big and bold and they deserve credit for that!  Good work guys!

Today, and indeed for the foreseeable future, Leeds can certainly claim to have the newest shopping centre in the UK and can compete on level terms with the likes of Meadowhall in Sheffield, The Trafford Centre in Manchester or the Metro Centre in Gateshead.

But, just like our work at SoVibrant, Trinity Leeds is all about the experience - or, in their own words, the “wonder” – and, in my own opinion, the new centre isn’t just on a par with others in the region; it’s set the new standard.

Like I said, I’m very excited – and, after your first visit, I hope you are too.

 

 

 

 

www.sovibrant.co.uk
Images courtesy of Google images, Victoria Stares, Trinity Leeds Facebook Page

Brazil 2014 & Rio 2016 - Sporting Codes !

Well two months in and I’m afraid to say 2013 isn’t a patch on the momentous year that was 2012; as expected I suppose. With only a 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England to look forward to, for all those hardcore fans of the 13 man code. Just to try and cheer everyone up from a sporting point of view I thought I would try and put a bit of Salsa in your future and remind everyone that we have a Brazilian double coming up - the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

In preparation for these great two years in their sporting history, as well as building some striking new stadiums, the Brazilians are adding something a little extra in a very subtle way. They would like the millions of tourists visiting their shores to learn more about the cities and positive traits, using the modern technology of QR Codes and smart phones, with traditional building methods of black and white mosaic pavements.

Rio de Janeiro began installing a series of QR code patterns onto its pavements on Friday 25 January, starting at Arpoador by Ipanema Beach. In scanning the pavement QR code, the user will be diverted to a tourist information website which lists details about the area where they are standing, including a Google Map so they can find their way about. It’s definitely a great concept for modern day signage that has no language barriers and still manages to maintain its strong cultural roots. So no need for any large notice boards to spoil the view - simple yet brilliant!

World Cup 2014 - Olympics 2016 - Design - Architecture - QR Codes

www.sovibrant.co.uk 

 

Caught in the Loop

In a world full of overcrowded cities with busy commuters, trying to get from A to B as quickly as possible has been the main aim for the clock watching workaholic. Three Bosnian product design students have tried to put a stop to this by creating a bridge in Sarajevo that encourages people to stop, sit down and take in the beautiful scenery.

Most transport links have been designed to be direct as possible, but not this bridge. It provides the pedestrian with a different experience which is less direct. A single curling form made from steel and aluminium incorporates a wooden bench to provide a contemplative haven for pedestrians and visitors to admire this picturesque city. Its unique form ( for a bridge ) looks just as eye catching at night illuminated with bright white LEDs.

Named Festina Lente, the bridge means 'to make haste slowly'. It’s a brave piece of modern architecture and engineering that sits elegantly alongside Sarajevo's historical buildings.

Architecture and Engineering

www.sovibrant.co.uk

 

Stanley Kubrick's one point perspective

You may have noticed the title ‘Kubrick’s famous one point perspective’ in one of our recent feature post about one of his films 2001 Space Odyssey. The short video below is a stunning compilation of several of his films, beautifully highlighting his use of this dramatic camera angle. Along with the soundtrack this is a powerful example of cinematography that has to be one of the best short videos I’ve ever seen on YouTube. It also makes you want to watch all of Kubrick’s films again, just to spot the one point perspective !

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXq5rcY4_TU 

Images courtesy of Google images

Architecture - Film - Stanley Kubrick

www.sovibrant.co.uk